In today’s Tales from the Still interview I speak with John Ralph about the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Double Gold winner, Mad March Hare and the origins of Irish Poitin. Then later in the show, Chef Louise Leonard will tell us about her Red Headed Mary.
About Mad March Hare:
First distilled by monks (God bless you lads), the Irish enjoyed their poitín for a thousand years before it was banned by the Brits in 1661. But we’re resilient feckers and poitín never really went away.
It remained part of Irish drinking culture and was given names like Cratur, Mountain Dew, Mountain Tea and Devil’s Spittle. And you always knew a man, who knew a man, that could get you a bottle. Now legal again, poitín can be found on backbars all across Ireland, instead of under the counter.
At Mad March Hare, we use only the finest, locally sourced malted barley and distill three times in small copper pot stills in the traditional way. We then cut the spirit with Irish spring water to 40% ABV resulting in a drink that is full of character and exceptionally smooth. Sláinte!
Purchase your own bottle at https://shopmadmarchhare.com/
Guest Bio:
John Ralph is CEO of Intrepid Spirits, an independently owned Irish company, committed to bringing innovative and resurgent brands to the marketplace. Based in Dublin, Intrepid Spirits has a global distribution network with offices in San Francisco, Medellin, La Paz and Shanghai. The portfolio of independent, artfully crafted brands consists of Cocalero, a unique botanical spirit with Bolivian roots; Egan’s Irish Whiskey, a multi-generational company producing exceptional single malt and single grain Irish whiskies; and Mad March Hare, a highly-awarded premium Irish Poitín. The company is also the exclusive Irish distributor for Michter's Bourbon, Kyrö Gin and Merlet Cognac, as well as Los Javis Mezcal in Europe.
Barrel Room Chronicles is a production of 1st Reel Entertainment and is distributed by Anchor.FM and is available on Spotify, Apple, Google, iHeartRadio, Amazon and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Theme song: Kentucky-Bluegrass-Mornin Composer: Clay Tyler Smith © Pond5.com
